Letters

2021/09/21: To Mayor and Council of Saanich Re: Proposed Doral Forest Park Development

21 September 2021

To Saanich Mayor and Council
council@saanich.ca

The Victoria Natural History Society is a community organization that has supported those with an interest in
nature in our region since 1944, and we currently have approximately 750 members, many of whom are
residents of Saanich. Our organization has three main objectives:
• to stimulate an active interest in natural history,
• to study and protect flora and fauna and their habitats,
• to work with other societies and like bodies having interests in common with this Society.

We are writing at this time to provide our strong support to the Royal Oak Community Association, and the
Beaver Elk Environmental Stewards among others in their call to protect the biodiversity and to halt the loss of
natural space in the area where the Doral Forest Park development is proposed. These organizations have ably
outlined many of the critical issues at play on this property and adjacent to it. We will just highlight a couple
here.

There are multiple, very important reasons why development of this area has to be re–considered. The wetlands,
ponds and drainages are habitat for multiple federally listed species and provide passage for others. In addition,
there is no municipal requirement, plan or method to monitor the effectiveness of the stormwater management
system outlined in the Doral application. Saanich staff noted the aquifer could be affected by construction and
that “while risk appears low, water quality at Elk/Beaver Lake could be impacted.” Even a low risk is
unconscionable given the size and importance of these lakes to wildlife, fish and humans.

The area is part of the extremely rare Coastal Douglas–fir biogeoclimatic zone, of which less than 3% remains
across its original distribution and every part of it is critical. The forest that runs from Elk Lake Drive to Beaver
Beach contains many of the oldest trees and is the least impacted and largest section of relatively intact original
forest habitat in the park.

We share this region with more than 100 endangered species, including several that are listed under the federal
Species at Risk Act. It is with this collective and critical stewardship role in mind that we are writing today
about any additional loss of natural areas/greenspaces in Saanich and further impacts to existing greenspaces
through development.

Yes, high density housing is required, but not in an area of high biodiversity and habitat value particularly
adjacent to one of the most valued protected areas within the CRD.

Please reconsider rezoning and developing this land. Saanich “strives to live in harmony with each other and the
environment. We aim to further our citizens’ economic, physical and social well–being.” This development will
not further these goals.

Sincerely,

Philip Lambert
President
Victoria Natural History Society
president@vicnhs.bc.ca

19 September 2021

Dear Colwood Mayor and Council,

RE: TWO PROPOSED AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT BESIDE HAVENWOOD PARK

The Victoria Natural History Society is a community organization that has supported those with an
interest in nature in our region since 1944, and we currently have approximately 750 members,
many of whom are residents of Colwood. Our organization has three main objectives:
• to stimulate an active interest in natural history,
• to study and protect flora and fauna and their habitats,
• to work with other societies and like bodies having interests in common with this Society.

Along with the other municipalities in the Capital Regional District, the City of Colwood is located
in one of the top three most endangered ecosystems in Canada. We share this region with more
than 100 endangered species, including several that are listed under the federal Species at Risk Act.
It is with this collective and critical stewardship role in mind that we are writing today about any
additional loss of natural areas/greenspaces in Colwood and further impacts to existing
greenspaces through development in your city.

Unlike other municipalities in the region, Colwood has almost no protected areas that belong to the
City itself. This lack of foresight by previous councils can be ameliorated by current mayor and
council through the intentional protection of additional areas, as well as reducing impacts to the
few existing parks the City does manage. Greenway corridors are a further means of creating a
protected areas network in an otherwise urbanized landscape; allowing for wildlife movement as
well as providing a trail system for resident to explore the out–of–doors, exercise, and recharge
their spirits. The positive effect on mental well–being of greenspace is increasingly being
recognized through many scientific studies.

Of grave concern to the Victoria Natural History Society is the continued loss of native vegetation
and the significance of these natural areas for supporting nesting birds, native pollinators
(butterflies and bees), and for providing refuge and food for a myriad of other animals. We hope
you, as mayor and council, will make it a goal of your term to have no net loss of greenspace, and
instead, look for ways to add more protected natural areas in the City of Colwood. This will
provide some balance to the areas of concrete and asphalt in your community.

Sincerely,
Philip Lambert
President
Victoria Natural History Society
president@vicnhs.bc.ca

September 10, 2021

Mayor and Council, Colwood

COLWOOD WATERFRONT PLAN

This letter is to let you know that the board of the Victoria Natural History Society has reviewed the
draft plans for the Colwood waterfront. While we recognize that there is pressure to exploit the
waterfront for recreation, particularly with a growing population, we are concerned about overuse and
abuse. The Esquimalt Lagoon and its federal Migratory Bird Sanctuary are particularly sensitive
ecological features of southern Vancouver Island. Shorebirds and other birds need appropriate spaces,
particularly in migration, with the least possible human presence.

The plan recognizes the compelling need to manage the area – traffic calming measures and steering
people onto paths, for instance – and mitigate the damage, but it does nothing to discourage people
who might not be sensitive to the critical nature of the lagoon from frequenting the area. We are
particularly concerned with increased infrastructure such as a canoe launch and a viewing platform
into the Lagoon, and washrooms and other facilities near the bridge.

We like that you plan to focus food trucks and entertainment at Pithouse Park and, in time, at Royal
Beach. However, we ask that there be a moratorium on food trucks and other intensive activities until
the other areas are developed.

On two other points: The VNHS is hearing from a lot of our members that they are concerned, even
alarmed, at the plans for the Colwood waterfront. And finally, we have heard that the survey
concerning the waterfront is frustratingly difficult to access.


Sincerely,
Philip Lambert
President
Victoria Natural History Society
president@vicnhs.bc.ca

February 8, 2021
CRD Regional Parks Committee
625 Fisgard Street
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada V8W 1R7

Dear Committee Members

RE: widening and illuminating the Galloping Goose and Lochside trails.

Summary:

1. No net loss of green space.
2. Importance of hedgerows to wildlife.
3. Improve bike lanes on roads first.
4. No major increase in lighting.

On behalf of the Victoria Natural History Society, I am writing to comment on the proposed changes to the major routes in the regional trail system – the Galloping Goose and Lochside Trail. The Victoria Natural History Society is a community organization that has supported those with an interest in nature in our region since 1944, and we currently have approximately 750 members, almost all of whom are residents of the Capital Regional District.

The Victoria Natural History Society has three main objectives:
• to stimulate an active interest in natural history,
• to study and protect flora and fauna and their habitats,
• to work with other societies and like bodies having interests in common with this Society.

With these objectives in mind, we would like to express our concern over any reduction of natural areas along either side of the existing trails. We recognize that conflicts are occurring along the trail and agree that widening the trails could alleviate some of the issues associated with its popularity and disparate uses. Of grave concern to us, however, is the continued loss of native vegetation and the significance of these naturalized corridors for wildlife movements and for supporting nesting birds, native pollinators (butterflies and bees), and for providing refuge and food for a myriad of other animals. We live in one of the top three most endangered ecosystems in Canada, and we share the region with more than 100 endangered species, including several that are listed under the federal Species at Risk Act. Members of our Society frequent all areas in our regional trail system and we know that both federally and provincially listed species rely on the habitats that line these transportation corridors. The importance of hedgerows cannot be overstated, and it was a previous report of our Society that resulted in the preservation of similar habitats along the trail in the Martindale Flats region many years ago.

The routes we are referring to are not solely transportation corridors: the importance of greenspace is increasingly recognized for its positive effects on mental well-being. What makes the trails the preferred option is precisely what will be lost in this effort. Many of the people using the trail system are just exploring the out-of-doors: birding, exercising, recharging their spirits, and they use the trail system precisely because it provides a more relaxing and pleasurable option than the roadways. If the widening and the lighting recreates the experience of being in an urbanized setting then a critical value of the trail system will be lost entirely.

There are compromises here that can maintain the relaxed and charming feel of these major regional corridors while still improving the safety of all users. First and foremost: the regional road network must be made safer for commuting cyclists. Currently these riders are funnelled onto the regional trail system because they do not feel safe on our roadways. Physically separated cycling lanes would shift that commuter traffic to a more appropriate route for the speeds they are travelling. This is becoming even more necessary with the number of electric bikes being used. No more of our regional greenspaces or naturalized areas should be lost to transportation. We have lost enough habitat to paved surfaces that then go on to cause flooding, affect water quality, etc. Please look first to already hardscaped solutions.

If widening is still considered necessary in a few key areas, then an important aspect of this should be the restoration and rehabilitation of areas that currently lack native vegetation, and every effort to reduce the loss in areas that currently support hedgerows and trees should be made. Examples include the portion of the trail adjacent to existing protected areas such as the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. Ultimately there should be no net loss of habitat, and preferably significant gains could be made. There are sections of the trail that have remained un-restored for years, an example is the area between the Switch Bridge and the Pacific Forestry Centre. Putting a greenbelt between the trail and the highway would be a significant improvement.

The topic of lighting the trail also needs to be addressed. Again: if roadways were adjusted to accommodate cyclists safely (separated, dedicated lanes) then this would not be an issue. It is our preference to maintain darkness wherever possible due to the negative health impacts of lighting on animal circadian rhythms (including our own) and the reduction in value of the trail corridors for nocturnal animal movements. If lighting is installed, it is our hope that it be minimal and very targeted. There has to be some expectation by users that they provide themselves with the illumination needed on the trail. Just as rural roads have few lights, so too should a naturalized corridor feel like a part of the natural world rather than a busy roadway. And these lights must not be on all night at a time when we should be trying to reduce light pollution and our carbon footprint. Finally, there are alternatives to traditional lighting that we urge you to consider, for example https://urbannext.net/sustainable-alternatives-to-street-lighting/.

Providing habitat protection and connectivity between wild spaces should be a priority for the CRD, and enhancing habitat values for native flora and fauna make the region more liveable as well as increasing our resilience to the impacts of climate change. Greenspaces are every bit as important as encouraging the use of alternative transportation, so we hope that you will treat them with equal concern.

Sincerely,

Philip Lambert
President
Victoria Natural History Society
president@vicnhs.bc.ca

Submitted by Philip Lambert,

President of the Victoria Natural History Society president@vicnhs.bc.ca

Updated Version Prepared by Jenny Feick for the Friends of Ecological Reserves

WHEREAS in 1971, the British Columbia Legislature gave unanimous approval to the Ecological Reserve Act, thus becoming the first province in Canada to formalize, acknowledge the benefits of, and give permanent protected status to ecological reserves; and

WHEREAS the Ecological Reserve Act of 1971 enabled the creation of 148 Ecological Reserves across B.C. as part of a Protected Area system specifically to protect representative examples of the ecosystem types in B.C. as well as rare species and special features of biological and geological importance, for scientific study and educational purposes; and

WHEREAS, the BC Government holds primary stewardship responsibility for the B.C. Protected Areas system, including Ecological Reserves, and that all British Columbians currently derive economic, social, cultural, health and environmental benefits from these areas; and

WHEREAS an assessment of the condition of existing reserves in 2005 raised “concerns that the ecological values of many individual reserves are at significant risk and a more proactive approach to managing the reserves is required to reverse this trend.”

WHEREAS climate change, increased resource activities and expanding human populations place greater pressures and create greater uncertainty on the sustainability of the species and ecosystems in Canada’s most ecologically diverse province. Reducing uncertainty can be aided over time if there is a sustained monitoring and research program in its protected areas, including Ecological Reserves, so that adaptation strategies are informed by scientific understanding of trends and thresholds; and

WHEREAS the original concept behind Ecological Reserves was that science-based approaches are a fundamental key to understanding how to sustain B.C.’s natural ecological and bio diversity, and so, with today’s awareness of climate change effects on nature, Ecological Reserves remain relevant today, and are now even more urgently needed; and

WHEREAS most Ecological Reserves were specifically designated as research and monitoring sites, these activities have not been consistently pursued by government or promoted to universities and colleges in the last 40 years, i.e., since the early 1980s; and

WHEREAS there are approved management planning documents for 126 (85%) of B.C.’s Ecological Reserves, there has been little to no implementation by BC Parks of these Ecological Reserve guidance documents since the 1980s, and thus, instead of serving as natural area benchmarks in research and monitoring studies, Ecological Reserve volunteer wardens report that most Ecological Reserves are suffering environmental degradation from a variety of external and internal threats due to lack of maintenance and stewardship actions; and

WHEREAS, the BC government initiated a volunteer warden system in 1980 to assist BC Parks in effectively managing and protecting Ecological Reserves in accordance with the objectives of the Ecological Reserve Act and Ecological Reserve Regulations and that in 2020, approximately 25% of current Ecological Reserves (35 out of 148) lack any volunteer warden.

WHEREAS traditional land use by Indigenous Peoples is generally permitted in Ecological Reserves, stewardship actions by Indigenous Ecological Reserve wardens and Indigenous groups are welcomed, and Ecological Reserves provide opportunities for the maintenance and application of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and co-management, therefore the establishment of new Ecological Reserves in collaboration with Indigenous Ecological Knowledge Keepers and maintenance of existing Ecological Reserves by Indigenous wardens could help support the BC government’s efforts to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP); and

WHEREAS no systems plan for Ecological Reserves in B.C. exists and the current 148 Ecological Reserves do not form an adequate network of study areas to represent the diversity in B.C.’s Ecoregions and Ecological Zones, and

WHEREAS new discoveries of significant botanical, zoological and geological features and rare or endangered native plants and animals in their natural habitat are still being made, a clear process is needed to set aside specific areas of land to create a more robust Ecological Reserve system that incorporates newly discovered significant areas and features and helps the Province meet its provincial, national and international commitments for biodiversity conservation, species at risk protection, and Indigenous stewardship; and

WHEREAS the total area of land set aside for the 148 Ecological Reserves in B.C. is 112, 543 ha in terrestrial reserves plus 51,731 ha in marine reserves, comprising 0.008% of the BC Parks Protected Area System, and that individual Ecological Reserves tend to be small, they do not alienate large tracts of land from economic development. However, they protect ecologic, biologic and geologic resources of great environmental value and their placement can be strategic so that they contribute to provincial environmental goals related to biodiversity and heritage conservation, climate change action (mitigation and adaptation), Indigenous stewardship, and evidence-based policy. Thus, the long-term comprehensive benefits of protecting these resources exceed the short-term economic gain from development that would destroy these resources.

WHEREAS setting aside additional Crown lands as Ecological Reserves would increase the probability of sustaining ecosystems currently in B.C. and limit irreparable biological losses in a period of rapid climate change, an expanded world-class Ecological Reserve system could help the BC Government achieve biodiversity conservation commitments, inform climate change adaptation strategies and augment Indigenous stewardship opportunities.

WHEREAS, the Friends of Ecological Reserves (FER) presented to the BC Government a list of worthy candidate Ecological Reserves in 2014 with a reminder in 2017, none of these areas have been officially added to the Ecological Reserve system; and

WHEREAS, May 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the Ecological Reserves Act and regulations and the establishment of B.C.’s first ecological reserves, thus making it an ideal opportunity to designate additional Ecological Reserves.

Be it resolved that BC Nature urges the BC Government put in place a clear process to add new Ecological Reserves to the system with a schedule for management plan completion and implementation established where gaps exist in ecosystem representation or significant biological (botanical, zoological, genetic) or geological features, and

Be it further resolved that BC Nature urges the BC Government to establish immediate (2021) and long range targets to establish additional Crown lands as Ecological Reserves to represent and protect fragile ecosystems, culturally modified ecosystems and features, rare and endangered species, and significant biological and geological features, in this period of rapid climate change, and

Be it further resolved that BC Nature urges BC Parks to commit to maintaining the current system of Ecological Reserves by completing and implementing approved Ecological Reserve management plans in a timely fashion, and

Be it further resolved that BC Nature urges the BC government to facilitate research in Ecological Reserves by forming partnerships with universities, colleges, research institutions, ENGOs, and Indigenous peoples to get research projects, TEK studies, and baseline biodiversity inventories completed, periodically updated, communicated and used to inform land uses, management practices and climate change adaptation strategies across the broader landscape, and

Be it further resolved that BC Nature urges BC Parks to support the volunteer stewardship efforts of Ecological Reserve wardens as well as ENGO and Indigenous partners in Ecological Reserves by taking action to address threats to Ecological Reserves that they identify, providing opportunities for training and communicating, and supporting specific stewardship projects with in-kind support and where possible, funds.

Government Contacts

Honourable Katrine Conroy

Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development and

Honourable Nathan Cullen

Minister of State for Lands and Natural Resource Operations

Mailing address:

PO Box 9049 Stn Prov Govt

Victoria, BC V8W 9E2

Their email address is: FLNR.Minister@gov.bc.ca. The Minister’s Office phone number is: 250- 387-6240.

Honourable George Heyman

Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy

and

Kelly Greene

Parliamentary Secretary for Environment

Mailing Address:

PO Box 9047 Stn Prov Gov

Victoria, BC V8W 9E2

Their email address is: ENV.Minister@gov.bc.ca . The Minister’s Office phone number is: 250- 387-1187.

Mayor and Council

District of Saanich

770 Vernon Ave.

Victoria, BC, V8X 2W7

Re: Preserving King’s Pond and Jenkins Pond

Dear Saanich Mayor and Council,

On behalf of the Victoria Natural History Society, I am writing to say how pleased we are that Saanich has acquired, through a generous donation, the area called Jenkins Pond Park, which adjoins King’s Pond. We would like to encourage you to go one step further and declare King’s and Jenkins Ponds as, either a Conservation Area similar to Rithet’s Bog or a Nature Sanctuary similar to Swan Lake.

The Victoria Natural History Society is a completely volunteer community organization with a 75 year history in the region and as many as 750 members currently, many of whom are residents of Saanich. Our goals are:

To stimulate an active interest in natural history;
To study and protect flora and fauna and their habitats; and
To work with other societies and like bodies having interests in common with the Society.
Not surprisingly, we take an active interest in regional land use decisions that could adversely impact wildlife and its habitat. It should also be pointed out that the value of a wetland, like King’s Pond, goes well beyond just providing habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. As many municipalities are discovering, protecting and restoring wetlands also makes good economic sense, as shown through the Municipal Natural Asset Initiative. It employs tools to put a value on nature’s ability to provide municipal services, such as water purification, flood reduction, water supply and erosion control. Today, eleven municipalities across Canada have signed on to the initiative, including Nanaimo and Courtney, which is leading to more wetlands and other natural ecosystems being restored and protected.

According to Ducks Unlimited, up to 80% of the original wetlands along Vancouver Island’s east coast have been destroyed. Within the Greater Victoria region, as much as 70% of the wetlands have been drained and filled in. Action to protect and restore wetlands within the region is urgently needed. VNHS had requested 50 years ago in 1969 that the riparian area north of Kings Pond in the Cedar Hill Park be purchased by Saanich as a wild-life area.

The District of Saanich has a generally well-deserved reputation as an environmentally sensitive steward of public lands. In particular, we applaud the establishment of the Resilient Saanich Technical Committee with the sweeping mandate to “restore and protect air, land, and water quality, the biodiversity of existing natural areas and ecosystems, the network of natural areas and open spaces, and urban forests.” The addition of Jenkins Pond and further designating it as a Conservation Area or Nature Sanctuary would be an excellent opportunity to demonstrate a further commitment to this mandate.

Thank you for your attention,

 

Sincerely,

Philip Lambert

President

Victoria Natural History Society

president@vicnhs.bc.ca

Oct. 23, 2020

Mayor and Council
District of Saanich
770 Vernon Ave.
Victoria, BC, V8X 2W7

Re: Restoration of Panama Flats Wetland

Dear Saanich Mayor and Council,

On behalf of the Victoria Natural History Society, I’m writing to let you know of our Society’s concern regarding the management of Panama Flats. We recognize that Panama Flats are zoned for agricultural use. While we wholeheartedly support the protection of agricultural land, in this location, the ecological importance of this wetland cannot be overstated. Instead of farming it, we encourage you to commit to restoring and protecting it as a nature sanctuary, similar to Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary.


The Victoria Natural History Society is a completely volunteer community organization with a 75 year history in the region and as many as 750 members currently, many of whom are residents of Saanich. Our goals are:

To stimulate an active interest in natural history;
To study and protect flora and fauna and their habitats; and
To work with other societies and like bodies having interests in common with the Society.
Not surprisingly, we take an active interest in regional land use decisions that could adversely impact wildlife and its habitat. Panama Flats provides very important habitat for a great many species despite being significantly degraded by past farming practices. Of particular concern are the adverse impacts continued farming would have on migratory birds using the Pacific Flyway year-round. The Flats are known and promoted as one of the region’s birding hotspots with at least 207 species of birds recorded (via eBird).

It should also be pointed out that the value of a wetland, like Panama Flats, goes well beyond just providing habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. As many municipalities are discovering, protecting and restoring wetlands also makes good economic sense as shown through the Municipal Natural Asset Initiative. It employs tools to put a value on nature’s ability to provide municipal services, such as water purification, flood reduction, water supply and erosion control. Today, eleven municipalities across Canada have signed on to the initiative, which is leading to more wetlands and other natural ecosystems being restored and protected.

According to Ducks Unlimited, up to 80% of the original wetlands along Vancouver Island’s east coast have been destroyed. Within the Greater Victoria region, as much as 70% of the wetlands have been drained and filled in. Action to protect and restore wetlands within the region is urgently needed.

As we acknowledged in our Sept. 25th letter regarding the Royal Oak Golf Course property, the District of Saanich has a generally well-deserved reputation as an environmentally sensitive steward of public lands. In particular, we applaud the establishment of the Saanich Technical Committee recently with the sweeping mandate to “restore and protect air, land, and water quality, the biodiversity of existing natural areas and ecosystems, the network of natural areas and open spaces, and urban forests.” The restoration of Panama Flats is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to this mandate.

It also makes good economic sense in terms of flood protection and other ecological services provided by the wetland at no cost as alluded to by the Colquitz River Watershed Proper Functioning Condition Assessment commissioned by Saanich in 2009. It concluded that Panama Flats provided important surface water management services and that there was “great potential” for restoring the area as a valuable natural asset. It went on to provide specific and detailed recommendations as to how this should be done. In the short-term, restoration effort should focus on re-establishing meanders in the Colquitz River channel along with the removal of invasive species and replanting with native species appropriate to the habitat. The long-term goal, according to the Assessment, should be the re-establishment of the broader wetland that once occupied the area.

We fully support these recommendations and urge you to adopt and follow through with these recommendations.

Thank you for your attention,

 

Philip Lambert

President,

Victoria Natural History Society

250-477-5922 plambert@pacificcoast.net

 

3 July 2020

To The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Email: ec.ministre-minister.ec@canada.ca Telephone: 819-938-3813

Dear Minister Wilkinson:

I am writing on behalf of the Victoria Natural History Society, a community organization that has supported those with an interest in the natural history of our region since 1944 and with approximately 750 members. We encourage you to use your authority to protect the environment in British Columbia. Federal decisions that are made for short-term financial gain often cause serious permanent damage to the environment and ultimately long-term loss to our economy. A few examples of such decisions that have occurred recently include the latest tar sands mine approval, the TMX pipeline project, the continued west coast herring fishery, the Site C dam, and the LNG plant in Kitimat.

The most recent environmental harm that you can help prevent comes in the form of the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project in the Fraser River Delta. This internationally-recognized Important Bird Area is essential for Western Sandpipers and many other shorebirds. It provides a critical staging area that allows the birds to complete their long distance migration. The fatty food in the bio-film of the mudflats delivers the energy they need for their journey.

There are other significant issues associated with the destruction of the mudflats for this project. For example, it will further diminish the development of young salmon populations in the Fraser River system, which will have impacts on the iconic Southern Resident Killer Whales. These whales are in serious decline, and protecting this federally-endangered population falls under your jurisdiction.

Minister Wilkinson: We challenge you to demonstrate leadership on environmental issues that affect our future so drastically. The Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project is an example of just such a decision. It should not go ahead.

Sincerely,

Philip Lambert

President

Victoria Natural History Society

president@vicnhs.bc.ca

29 June 2020

Dear Mayor Fred Haynes and Council,

I am writing on behalf of the Victoria Natural History Society, a community organization that has supported those with an interest in the natural history of our region since 1944 and with approximately 750 members. We support Councilor Ned Taylor’s and Councilor Colin Plant’s agenda item on July 13th regarding banning Anti-Coagulant Rodenticides.

Owls are perishing due to secondary poisoning from highly toxic Second Generation Anticoagulants (SGAR’s). Rat poison moves through food webs after a rodent ingests it. In a recent study of

164 owls from western Canada, scientists found that 70% had residues of at least one rodenticide in their livers and at least half of those owls had multiple rodenticides in their system. The necropsy from a Great-horned Owl found in Saanich had three different types of commercial grade anticoagulant rodenticides in its system. Two of them are so potent they are not to be used outdoors. (See link to these reference at end of this letter)

Other wildlife and domestic animals are also at risk of secondary poisoning and many of them go undetected and under reported. As well as the owls in Kings Community Nature Space, we have had anecdotal reports of several otherwise healthy dogs who live in the area or visit the area daily become very ill. Dead or poisoned rats are easy prey for curious pets. BCSPCA and the College of Vets are aware of the owl necropsy reports.

We know there are safer alternatives such as Contrapest and automatic traps (goodnature.ca). The District of North Vancouver did an extensive investigative report on the subject of secondary poisoning of wildlife due to rodenticides and voted unanimously this month to ban rodenticides in municipal owned facilities. Their report highlights how using other methods to control rats instead of rodenticides is cheaper in the long run. As a free service, owls eat as many as 1000 rats a year, helping to keep the rodent populations in balance naturally.

We fully support Councilors Ned Taylor and Colin Plant’s motion and applaud them for taking action on this serious issue in our community.

The references mentioned above can be found in the Google drive folder at Photos and references.

Thank you,

 

Sincerely,

Philip Lambert

President, Victoria Natural History Society, president@vicnhs.bc.ca

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